How to witness in a world that knows all the answers...

[Homeby5]

It seems the "great commission" was fulfilled. I don't believe there is anywhere on Earth where the name of Jesus Christ as the Messiah has not been preached and a Christian church is operating (above or below ground). On top of that, with the invention of social media...just about anyone and everyone can investigate the validity of any religion.
As Christians...how do we witness to a world that "already knows the answers"? How do you approach the topic when Christianity is already universally stigmatized? Simply ask them to church? Quote scripture to them? Only witness when and if the situation presents itself after you have formed a relationship with someone?
Anyway...what do you guys think?

 

[turkle]

Witnessing and preaching are two different things.

When you are witnessing, you are telling people what the Lord has done in your own life. You have a unique story to tell. Witnessing is simply telling your story. The simplest and most eloquent witnessing was done in John 9.25. Be like the blind man, tell what God has done in your life, and keep it simple. Nobody has a story like yours.

 

[d taylor]

It seems the "great commission" was fulfilled. I don't believe there is anywhere on Earth where the name of Jesus Christ as the Messiah has not been preached and a Christian church is operating (above or below ground). On top of that, with the invention of social media...just about anyone and everyone can investigate the validity of any religion.
As Christians...how do we witness to a world that "already knows the answers"? How do you approach the topic when Christianity is already universally stigmatized? Simply ask them to church? Quote scripture to them? Only witness when and if the situation presents itself after you have formed a relationship with someone?
Anyway...what do you guys think?

Well first a christian believer must have the correct witnessing message to share with an unbeliever.
I would also suggest, to look for people who are seeking God's free gift of Eternal Life.

 

[JosephZ]

Unfortunately there are many who preach the gospel, yet their walk is anything but Christlike. There are many who profess to be Christians, yet it can be difficult to see Christ in them.

As personal witnesses to Jesus Christ and the gospel, living our lives in a Christlike manor and treating others with a Christlike attitude is of upmost importance. The simple acts of showing kindness, love, and compassion towards those who are lost may be all it takes to eventually lead them to the Truth. Living by example is at the foundation and perhaps one of the most crucial components of our personal witness to Christ to others. Most, if not everyone, in the unbelieving world has heard about Jesus, some many times over, but they may not have seen Him in action even once.

“For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps” (1 Peter 2:21)

Just imagine if everyone who claims to follow Christ actually walked in the Spirit displaying love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control to all people, believers and non-believers alike, from the time they woke up each morning until they went to sleep at night. How powerful a testimony that would be to the unbelieving world!

 

[Daniel9v9]

We do what God's Word does and what it commands us to do: To convict people of their sins by proclaiming God's Law, and deliver to the contrite the Gospel, the good news of Jesus Christ, that their sins are forgiven.

Most people, as in all times, have no concept of what sin is, or at best they have a very low view of it. Consequently, they do not appreciate the joyful message of the Gospel. To put it a bit differently, people either tend to understand the Christian faith as a preaching of the Law, as mere moralism, or they may understand it as a kind of way of love, only trivial and optional, and void of any judgment or consequence. The effect this has is that people either become proud in their sins, or despair in their sins. So people need both God's Law and Gospel in a proper and unconfused way.

So, I don't think we can say that the Great Commission has been fullied, but rather, it's being fulfilled every day as the Church continues to make disciples, baptising them, and teaching them the Word of God. The only thing that is somewhat unique to our age in this context is that people, especially in the west, have gone from having a Christian heritage to being deeply biblically illiterate. The only cure for this is God's Word. As Paul sums up, we are to proclaim Christ and Him crucified.

 

[YahuahSaves]

Only witness when and if the situation presents itself after you have formed a relationship with someone?

Not long after I was saved I had a newish friend, not exactly a believer, but attended Sunday school as a child. She knew about Jesus and Christianity but kept asking me, 'why Jesus and Christianity'? Why not another religion? I didn't know how to adequately answer her because I'm not well-versed in the bible, but I know Jesus is the living God.

One day she was feeling down and I was prompted by the holy spirit to just sit with her. To just be present. I am starting to believe God doesn't want us to tell people of his love through scriptures or inviting them to church but to  show them. He works everything else out, just do what he asks of us to do.

 

[disciple Clint]

It seems the "great commission" was fulfilled. I don't believe there is anywhere on Earth where the name of Jesus Christ as the Messiah has not been preached and a Christian church is operating (above or below ground). On top of that, with the invention of social media...just about anyone and everyone can investigate the validity of any religion.
As Christians...how do we witness to a world that "already knows the answers"? How do you approach the topic when Christianity is already universally stigmatized? Simply ask them to church? Quote scripture to them? Only witness when and if the situation presents itself after you have formed a relationship with someone?
Anyway...what do you guys think?

My thought is that it is up to the Holy Spirit to convict people and the Holy Spirit does that even with people who have rejected to Gospel thousands of times. I think all we can do is try to be good examples of what a Christian should be and then when people ask us why we are different and seem to be happier we can explain why and then when they continue to ask questions we can explain the Gospel and be successful because the Holy Spirit has done the job of opening their ears.

 

[Homeby5]

Unfortunately there are many who preach the gospel, yet their walk is anything but Christlike. There are many who profess to be Christians, yet it can be difficult to see Christ in them.

As personal witnesses to Jesus Christ and the gospel, living our lives in a Christlike manor and treating others with a Christlike attitude is of upmost importance. The simple acts of showing kindness, love, and compassion towards those who are lost may be all it takes to eventually lead them to the Truth. Living by example is at the foundation and perhaps one of the most crucial components of our personal witness to Christ to others. Most, if not everyone, in the unbelieving world has heard about Jesus, some many times over, but they may not have seen Him in action even once.

“For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps” (1 Peter 2:21)

Just imagine if everyone who claims to follow Christ actually walked in the Spirit displaying love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control to all people, believers and non-believers alike, from the time they woke up each morning until they went to sleep at night. How powerful a testimony that would be to the unbelieving world!

Ok...I get that. But is "Christian living of loving others" enough to bring an unsaved person to the knowledge of the saving power of Christ? I mean...many unbelievers and unbelieving organizations show love, charity, etc... What separates Christian love from non-Christian love?
When I look at the Apostles and also our early Anti-Nicene way of witnessing, they were surely bold and pointed to the sinful nature of man. They weren't "loving" people to Christ in the way we look at it. They were "loving" people to Christ by pointing out that they were sinners and thier souls were in danger of hell.
But today...most people you run into already have a pre-disposed idea of about Christianity.

 

[Maria Billingsley]

It seems the "great commission" was fulfilled. I don't believe there is anywhere on Earth where the name of Jesus Christ as the Messiah has not been preached and a Christian church is operating (above or below ground). On top of that, with the invention of social media...just about anyone and everyone can investigate the validity of any religion.
As Christians...how do we witness to a world that "already knows the answers"? How do you approach the topic when Christianity is already universally stigmatized? Simply ask them to church? Quote scripture to them? Only witness when and if the situation presents itself after you have formed a relationship with someone?
Anyway...what do you guys think?

I agree, unless your under a rock you have heard the name Jesus. Unfortunately, most is pseudo-Christianity and that can not be avoided . It has overtake much of His truth. The main issue is how our Lord is being presented. Jesus Christ of Nazareth has been overshadowed by those who make merchandise of His followers and exploit Him for power and money. He has been institutionalized in tradition , housed in brick and mortar buildings and His Holy Spirit has been forcibly quenched by doctrines of demons. Even though He gave us warning after warning His Gospel has been mostly hijacked by unrighteousness and flesh driven agendas.
There is another force at work and it is winning.

Now that ,that's out of the way......solution:

One must be fully armored and equipped to spread the true Gosple with His Holy Spirit. Blessings. ​

 

[JosephZ]

Ok...I get that. But is "Christian living of loving others" enough to bring an unsaved person to the knowledge of the saving power of Christ?

No, only the Holy Spirit is capable of doing this and it's the Holy Spirit that's going to reach the heart of the unbeliever. We can only do our part which is to share the gospel when necessary, and to love others as Christ loves us at all times.

I mean...many unbelievers and unbelieving organizations show love, charity, etc... What separates Christian love from non-Christian love?

The Holy Spirit.

When I look at the Apostles and also our early Anti-Nicene way of witnessing, they were surely bold and pointed to the sinful nature of man. They weren't "loving" people to Christ in the way we look at it. They were "loving" people to Christ by pointing out that they were sinners and thier souls were in danger of hell.

Yes, they pointed out the sins of man and the sins of those in the world. These were subjects that were heavily discussed within the Church and among the body of believers. They also called out the sins within the Church, but how often did they go into the world and as part of their evangelizing directly pointing out the sins of nonbelievers, complete strangers, and to those who were living outside the Church?

 

[Blade]

Haha.. I just posted that I heard a preacher once say if you want to see how many won't come to Church tell them your going to be preaching on witnessing.

Very good question. Me.. I would seek Him.. asking the sweet sweet holy Spirit every time to show me tell me give me wisdom. He will and those gifts will flow also As Christ said. Luke 11:13

 

[Homeby5]

No, only the Holy Spirit is capable of doing this and it's the Holy Spirit that's going to reach the heart of the unbeliever. We can only do our part which is to share the gospel when necessary, and to love others as Christ loves us at all times.

The Holy Spirit.

Yes, they pointed out the sins of man and the sins of those in the world. These were subjects that were heavily discussed within the Church and among the body of believers. They also called out the sins within the Church, but how often did they go into the world and as part of their evangelizing directly pointing out the sins of nonbelievers, complete strangers, and to those who were living outside the Church?

Well...the missionaries like Paul, Barnaus, Mark, etc.. went out and preached in the synagogues and open city squares every week. That got in a lot of trouble for that. But they didn't preach loving people in the way we look at it today...they offended people by pointing out their sinfullness and need for a savior. They weren't too concerned with feeding the non church poor as the church was being persecuted and could hardly take care of themselves. Even in the church, charity was restricted to widows that met a certain criteria.

But yes...Paul told us in I Corinthians that we are not supposed to "judge" the sinfullness of non believers...only those in the church. And to them we are supposed to judge pretty harshly. So...you make a valid point where we are supposed to love the non believers as much as possible. But I still think that includes the truth of letting them know they are sinners in need of Jesus to save them and that comes from repentance.

BTW...I am not debating you...or disagreeing...just thinking out loud from what I believe from the Epistles...

 

[jacks]

" Preach the Gospel at all times and if necessary use words." I don't know who originally said this, but as a former atheist I can attest that it is the most effective method of preaching. It was seeing Christians love, patience and kindness that opened my eyes. Lead by example.

 

[Homeby5]

" Preach the Gospel at all times and if necessary use words." I don't know who originally said this, but as a former atheist I can attest that it is the most effective method of preaching. It was seeing Christians love, patience and kindness that opened my eyes. Lead by example.

If you don't mind...what circumstance led you to the realization that you were a sinner and needed a savior? Did the love of someone impress you and so you asked them about what made them that way? Did they ask you to visit a church? Thanks.

 

[jacks]

If you don't mind...what circumstance led you to the realization that you were a sinner and needed a savior? Did the love of someone impress you and so you asked them about what made them that way? Did they ask you to visit a church? Thanks.

At first it wasn't a realization that I was a sinner and needed a savior, it was seeing a different way of approaching life. One that was more compassionate and caring. This lead me to try and understand what made them different and begin questioning my preconceived beliefs. In essence it was their actions more than their words that first opened my heart to Christ. After my heart let in a crack of light, then I became more receptive to the details of Christianity. Going from not believing there is anything beyond the material world to "your and sinner and need a savior" is too big a leap for most atheists. First they have to at least consider the possibility of God. Hope that makes some sense.

 

[Tolworth John]

As Christians...how do we witness to a world that "already knows the answers"?

The world does not know all the answers, it just thinks it does.

May I suggest two questions.
What do you believe?
and What evidence do you have for that belief?

This lets them talk about themselves, the second challenges them to justify what ever they have just said.
Just be sure that you can follow the biblical command. ' to be able to give a Reason for your faith.
Christianity is built on historical facts, atheism and agnostism both depend on Christian concepts like treating everybody the same fair way, equality under the law and rights of the individual.

Ask your minister to preach on apologetics or start following william lane Craig.

 

[Trusting in Him]

From my own experience, I have found that inspite of the care we take in choosng the words which we use when speaking to others, it is usually the things which we say and do in our ungarded moments, which others take notice off. Jesus said without me you can do nothing and it is when other people see the outworking of your faith and trusting God resulting in something which is clearly out of your own control, or for that matter even anyone elses control, then people start to take notice.

We can tend to think that too much of this is about us, when in reality it always was only about God and His own will. Do we pray enough to God for the others we get to know in our own lives? When He hears our prayers and decides to move in us and to reach out to others around us, we start to understand that His will and His timing are essential to everything whch He does. When His will and tming make things happen, something comes into being that cannot be stopped. Do we not all know that He alone shall have all the glory and not us1